Embodiment
Now will be at length with reference to embodiments of the invention, its example is in the accompanying drawings by diagram.Although will the present invention be described, will understand them and not mean that the present invention only will be defined in these embodiment in conjunction with following embodiment.On the contrary, the present invention is intended to comprise replacement, modification and the equivalents that may comprise in the spirit and scope of the present invention that limit as claims.And in describing in detail below of the present invention, many specific details are suggested, to understand the invention provides completely.But embodiments of the invention may be implemented in that the situation that does not have these specific detail is following.In other example, unnecessarily fuzzy in order not make aspect of the present invention, well-known method, process, assembly and circuit are not explained.
The present invention is a kind of portable motion energized position annunciator, and the system that utilizes this device.Embodiments of the invention can be surveillance assets (for example property or people's) positions, and can be used for detecting and reporting the undelegated motion of assets, and give it for change when undelegated motion takes place.Embodiments of the invention may utilize a kind of geographical grid (geo-fencing) system that divides, and provide one group of position coordinates therein, the zone that described position coordinates defined assets can move under the situation that does not trigger alarm.In the time of outside assets move on to position coordinates, the owner of monitor service notice assets and/or law enforcement agency are so that give this assets for change.
The signal that embodiments of the invention utilize starting component to come the motion of pick-up unit and send this device of starting excitation when the assets that it is monitored move.This remains on the duty of drawing minimum power by the permission annunciator and is detected the battery life that has prolonged annunciator up to the motion of device.When motion was detected, this device was transformed into a kind of active operation state automatically, and the use location determines that system determines its geographic position, and this position is sent to monitor service.
Fig. 1 is the diagrammatic sketch according to the used positioning control system 110 of embodiments of the invention.System 110 comprises:position reporting device 101, position determination system (for example position determination system 102 or 103), and Position Tracking ISP 104.In the embodiment in figure 1,annunciator 101 is loaded in the vehicle 120, and is used to ISP 104 its positions of report.In the embodiment in figure 1,device 101 is used for monitoring and reporting the position of assets (for example vehicle 120).Although Fig. 1 illustrates theposition reporting device 101 that just is used to the reporting vehicle position, yet the present invention is well suited for monitoring and reports the position that the user may want the sundry assets that monitors.When vehicle 120 moved,device 101 detected these motions, and the use location determines that system 102 or 103 determines its geographic position, and will be to its position, and therefore with the position message of reporting vehicle 120 to ISP 104.
Fig. 2 is the calcspar of theposition reporting device 101 of a kind of demonstration according to an embodiment of the invention.In Fig. 2,controller 201 andpower supply 202couplings.Controller 201 is used to receive and carry out the order of determining the geographic position, and that position is sent to ISP 104.In one embodiment,power supply 202 is the long term power source (for example 4 alkaline AA batteries) as a battery or a plurality of batteries.Yet although the present invention enumerates long term power source, the present invention also is well suited for utilizing other power supply.In an embodiment of the present invention,power supply 202 can be coupled with external power source, as the electrical system of vehicle 120.For example,power supply 202 can perhaps can be used adaper plug to be coupled to the attaching socket or the cigarette lighter socket of vehicle 120 by the electrical system of hardwire in vehicle 120.
Controller 201 is also determined assembly 206 couplings with wireless communication components 203 and position.Wireless communication components 203 is used for sending and receiving wireless information (for example data and order).In one embodiment, wireless communication components comprisescellular radio antenna 204 and cellular wireless modem 205.In one embodiment,device 101 utilizes Short Message Service (SMS) to send and receives message.Certainly, the present invention also is well suited for utilizing other message format.
Position determination system 206 is used for determining the place of device 101.In an embodiment of the present invention, the position determines that assembly 206 comprises GPS (GPS)antenna 207 and gps receiver 208.Yet although present embodiment has specifically been enumerated the GPS position determination system, the present invention also is well suited for utilizing various based on land and satellite-based position determination system.
In Fig. 2,controller 201 also is coupled with starting component 209.Startingcomponent 209 is used for the variation of the motion state of pick-up unit 101.In one embodiment, startingcomponent 209 detects and installs the vibration that 101 motions are associated, and changes the indication of should moving when being detected to controller 201 in the vibration of device 101.In other embodiment of the present invention,starting component 209 can be acceleration sensor, obliquity sensor, rotation sensor, gyrator and motion sensor.Yet although present embodiment has been enumerated the particular implementation of thesestarting components 209, the present invention also is well suited for the motion that utilizes various devices to come pick-up unit 101 and generates the signal of this motion of indication forcontroller 201.
According to embodiments of the invention, when startingcomponent 209 pick-up units 101 are motion state from static substantially state-transition.Starting component 209 also can pick-upunit 101 when from motion state change into static substantially state and/or install 101 movement rates variation.Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the variation of the motion state ofstarting component 209 pick-up units 101, as the beginning of motion or stop, and acceleration, and produce an interruption and give controller 201.In response to the interruption that receives fromstarting component 209,controller 201 will install 101 duty and become the active operation state from its idle state, the a few components ofdevice 101 is drawn minimum power from power supply 102 in its idle state, and other assembly ofdevice 101 draws additional power from power supply 102 in the active operation state.
In relying on the current location report environment of motion that continuous location positioning hints annunciator, the starting component that utilizes the detection position annunciator to move together is seemingly counterintuitive, or is unnecessary at least.For example, receive a series of position messages and mean that position reporting device is in motion from the different location.The another kind of selection is to receive a series of position messages from same place and mean that position reporting device is static.Therefore, the motion detection assembly is attached in the device that has the hint function that detects motion and is considered to unnecessary.
Is favourable withstarting component 209 withposition reporting device 101 couplings, encourages thisdevice 101 so that the time quantum of location positioning to ISP 104 to be provided because it has reduced, thereby has prolonged the battery life that installs.In the position reporting device of prior art, determine that device is to determine and more continuous location positioning motion or static depending on.If continuous location positioning, infers then that this device is static from same place, if continuous location positioning, infers then that this device is in motion from different places.Must provide these location positioning at regular intervals, with the timely notice that provides this device moving.Yet, be a kind of unnecessary drawing for the device that moves as yet provides continuous location positioning, especially when the long-time section maintenance of device is static to the power of battery.This often replaces the battery of position reporting device for needs or is again trouble with the device users that device is coupled to external power source.
A lot of users lack is coupled to their necessary expertise of electrical system with position reporting device, so they determine without it.In addition, many potential users have indicated, and they are reluctant to mean the installation site annunciator and change the electrical system of their vehicle.By using the method power autonomous and power consumption that the minimizing position reporting device is provided, with the maintenance of simplification device, the present invention has overcome these obstacles.By providing a kind of at the battery powered position reporting device that installs the battery life that draws minimum power thereby extension fixture when not being moved, embodiments of the invention have overcome these restrictions.
Controller 201 also is coupled with storer 210.Storer 210 can be used for storage instruction and determine assembly 206 fixed positional informations by the position.Allow the record of the embodiment memory location ofdevice 101 like this, described device once was in described position in a period of time.
In an embodiment of the present invention,controller 201,power supply 202, wireless communication components 203, position determine that assembly 206, startingcomponent 209 and storer 210 are placed in the shell 211.Shell 211 limits a kind of portable packing, and it allowsdevice 101 to be easy to be hidden on the assets that it is monitoring or therein.
For installing 101, importantly enough little to be hidden easily with not in sight.Ifposition reporting device 101 is very big, to such an extent as to be easy to can be very obvious, the people who attempts to steal the assets that just monitored just may break ring it or abandon it.The current GPS receiver takes advantage of 1 inch (1 " * 1 ") to take advantage of in several millimeters the scope of thickness at approximate 1 inch.The current cellular modulator-demodular unit is at present approximate to be three and 1/2nd inches and to take advantage of 2 inches (31/2 " * 2 ") to take advantage of several millimeters thickness.Therefore, in one embodiment,device 101 may diminish to three and takes advantage of four inches (3 " * 4 ") to take advantage of the thickness less than one inch.This size allowsdevice 101 to be easy to be hidden in the glove box, under vehicle seat, or in the luggage case of vehicle.In addition,device 101 is enough light, to such an extent as to for example also can be hidden in briefcase or the knapsack.
Because when surveillance assets, may allow the long-time section ofdevice 101 be in unserviced state, so be minimum to the necessity of the user interface on device 101.For example,device 101 may comprise that a LED (not shown) determines assembly 106 just in received signal with indicating positions, and comprise a LED (not shown) with indication wireless communication components 103 just in received signal.
Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention,position reporting device 101 is a Small Form Factor, portable device, and it can be determined its position and this information is sent to ISP 104.In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention,device 101 is powered by a battery or a plurality of battery.This is favourable, because it allows user'soperative installations 101 apace, and has minimum maintenance.For example, the user does not need special knowledge in the electronics will install 101 and the coupling of the electrical system of vehicle 120, does not need third-party service with erecting device 101.In addition because install 101 embodiment use power autonomous, so it can be used to monitor the position of the assets that do not have its oneself power supply usually, such as golf club, knapsack, briefcase etc.Embodiments of the invention use a starting component, and when its pick-up unit just is being moved and is producing the signal that begins to encourage this device.This has reduced power consumption of the present invention, thus the battery life of extended position annunciator.
Fig. 3 is the figure that the duty of portable according to an embodiment of the inventionposition reporting device 101 is shown.In the duty S1 of Fig. 3,device 101 is in its idle state.In an embodiment of the present invention, whendevice 101 is during in its idle state, the assembly that draws power is real-time clock and starting component (forexample starting component 209 of Fig. 2).This allowsdevice 101 to keep the duty of drawing minimum power from power supply 202.In an embodiment of the present invention, whendevice 101 is during at its idle state S1, only 10 μ A are drawn.Because battery consumption is minimum among the S1 in working order, be extended at interval so install 101 battery altering.
When the incident 301 of Fig. 3, startingcomponent 209 detects motion and produces the controller (forexample controller 201 of Fig. 2) that interrupts giving device 101.In response to the interruption fromstarting component 209,controller 201 makesdevice 101 change duty S2 into.Duty S2 is the active operation state ofdevice 101, installs 101 therein and will attempt the use location and determine that assembly 206 obtains the location positioning in its geographic position.In an embodiment of the present invention, whendevice 101 is in working order during S2, wireless communication components 203 and position determine that assembly 206 draws power from power supply 202.Controller 201 makes assembly 206 attempt to determine the place ofdevice 101, and if success, by wireless communication components 203 described position is sent to ISP 104.In an embodiment of the present invention, during the S3, whendevice 101 was determined its place, it was 70mA that current drain is estimated in working order, and when sending its position, current drain is 400mA by estimating.
The incident of Fig. 3 302 times,device 101 changes duty S4 into.According to embodiments of the invention, after the position that successfully sends it, or after the preset time section,device 101 changes duty S4 into from duty S2.For example, use assembly 206 successfully to determine its place ifinstall 101, then it sends to ISP 104 with its position.Replacedly, if predetermined amount of time then successfully determine its position atdevice 101 before, then install 101 and will send message to ISP 104, described message informs that it has been moved but can not uses assembly 206 to determine its position, and changes duty S4 then into.Predetermined amount of time can be a default setting, and its user or ISP 104 bydevice 101 is provided with.
Among the S4,device 101 is the order and the running parameters that also can receive in query State from ISP 104 in working order.At this moment, the running parameter ofdevice 101 can be changed.For example, assembly 206 is allowed to determine that the time period of the position ofdevice 101 is changed during the S4 in working order.In one embodiment, whendevice 101 in working order during S4, have only wireless communication components 203 frompower supply 202, to draw power.Equally, this has reduced the amount of the power that is drawn and has prolonged and has installed 101 battery life from power supply 202.Install 101 power that draw approximate 5mA in working order during S4 according to estimates in an embodiment of the present invention.
After the order and/or running parameter that receive from ISP 104,device 101 changes duty S5 into 303 times in incident.Duty S5 is a delaying state, wherein installs 101 and is forced to keep an idle predetermined amount of time.This is provided with the time interval for repeatable position ofdevice 101 location, andholdout device 101 is being attempted constantly to determine when it just is moved to draw the too much power of battery in its process of position from power supply 202.In an embodiment of the present invention,device 101 draws the only power of 10 μ A in working order during S5.Predetermined amount of time is a running parameter, and it can be a default setting, and its user or ISP 104 bydevice 101 is provided with.
As the result who receives from ISP 104 running parameter, the length of the predetermined amount of time of duty S5 can be changed during inquiry duty (for example duty S4).In one embodiment, if ISP 104 just determines the undelegated motion at generatingmeans 101, then length that in working order should the time period during the S4 can be changed, and sends its position continuously or more frequently to ISP 104 so that install 101.This is convenient to locate and give for change the assets thatdevice 101 is monitoring.At the fixed time section then after,device 101 enters duty S1 again 304 times in incident, and, be moved ifstarting component 209 detectsdevice 101, then it can repeat the process of foregoing description.
Replacedly, if before startingcomponent 209 detects motion the time period 305 then then install 101 and change duty S3 into.Time period 305 can be a default setting, a preset parameter that is provided with by the user or the ISP 104 of device 101.In an embodiment of the present invention,device 101 reports that in working order its state gives ISP 104 during S3.This allows ISP's 104confirmation devices 101 still correctly to work.The information that sends during the S3 can comprise current time, position, the running parameter ofdevice 101 in working order.In addition,device 101 can send battery status information during the S3 in working order.This allows ISP 104 to remove the battery status ofmonitoring arrangement 101, and when battery need be changed the user of notifying device 101.For example, where necessary, the ISP can send an envelope Email or other message user todevice 101, changes the battery of this device to remind them.In an embodiment of the present invention, during S3, have only wireless communication components 203 frompower supply 202, to draw power in working order.In an embodiment of the present invention, in working order during the S3 current drain frompower supply 202 be 400mA by estimating.
Incident 306 times,device 101 changes duty S4 into.As previously discussed, among the S4, install 101 order and the parameters that can receive in working order from ISP 104.During S4, the length of time period 305 can be changed in working order.After this, change duty S5 into, install 101 therein and keep compulsory idle condition one predetermined amount of time at incident 303 lower devices 101.When section arrives at the fixed time, change duty S1 at incident 304lower devices 101.
According to the above-mentioned power consumption figures of quoting, andsupposition power supply 202 comprises 4 AA alkaline batteries (supposition 5000mAh total volume), estimated service life current cellular and GPS technology, anddevice 101 should have and reached 6 months or longer, available battery life.This supposition, the assets thatdevice 101 is monitoring have 2 hours and be in motion every days, and the position determines that assembly 206 is just with the geographic position of 15 minutes spacer 101.This be on usable battery life than the phenomenal growth of the position determining means of prior art, especially for not with the mancarried device of external power source coupling.
Refer again to Fig. 1, in an embodiment of the present invention, whendevice 101 during at its idle state S1, it draws minimum power from its power supply.For example, in one embodiment, install 101 and draw the power that is enough to operate starting component and real-time clock.When startingcomponent 209 detects its vehicle that is monitoring when mobile, it just produces an interruption and gives controller 201.In response to this interruption,controller 201 makesdevice 101 change active operation state S2 into.Install the 101 automatic use locations of attempting then and determine that system's (for example position determination system 102 or 103) determines its position.According to embodiments of the invention, position determination system 102 is the position determination systems based on land.Existence is by the spendable various position determination systems based on land of embodiments of the invention, such as LORAN-C, decca, radiobeacon etc.And the present invention also is well suited for using the enforcement in future based on the position determination system on land.
In other embodiments of the invention,device 101 uses satellite-based position determination system 103 to determine its position.Existence can be by the spendable various satellite-based position determination systems of embodiments of the invention, such as GPS (GPS), differential GPS (DGPS), location, Europe DGPS, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) (GLONASS) etc.In addition, the present invention also will be well suited for using implement the future of satellite-based position determination system.
Typically,device 101 is attempted to determine its position in the section at the fixed time.Determine its position in the section at the fixed time ifinstall 101, then it will send " no-fix " message automatically and give Position Tracking ISP 104.Should " no-fix " message to ISP 104 pass on thesedevices 101 detected the motion of vehicle 120 and at the fixed time section in the use location determine that system's (for example position determination system 102 or 103) can not determine its position.But, in an embodiment of the present invention, can in SMS message, comprise relatively or use a plurality of cell towers roughly sub-district ID section (sector) information of trigonometric ratio come the position oftesting fixture 101.
Whendevice 101 was successfully determined its position in the section at the fixed time, it sent " location " message automatically to current time and the present position of service centre 104 so that this device to be provided.When startingcomponent 209 detectsdevice 101 and is being moved,device 101 will continue periodically definite its position and send this positional information to ISP 104 then.Allow ISP 104 to remove to follow the tracks of thisdevice 101 when being moved like this at device, and the assets that just monitoring of tracking means 101 thus.Time period between location positioning is determined by the predetermined amount of time of the duty S5 of Fig. 3.
In one embodiment, whendevice 101starting component 209 detected vehicle 120 and no longer is moved, it sent an interruption to not motion ofcontroller 201 indications.In response to this indication,controller 201 makesdevice 101 determine its position automatically, and this positional information and current time are sent to ISP 104 together.Device 101 also can comprise its information of no longer moving of indication in this message.
In addition, locate and do not have localization message and can comprise additional information, such as the current running parameter and the battery condition of device 101.By sending battery condition information, the present invention has reduced the maintenance that the user need carry out for holdingdevice 101 operate as normal.For example, ISP 104 can send message to the user to remind their battery in the changingdevice 101 more when determining that battery is not enough.In one embodiment of the invention, text message can be sent to user's cell phone 105, and perhaps email message can be sent to user's computing machine 106 family expenses or office, to remind their the more battery in the changingdevice 101.
In an embodiment of the present invention, when ISP 104 received fromdevice 101 position fix message, one group of pre-determined position parameters that the data in this message and user bydevice 101 are provided with relatively.If install 101 position outside pre-determined position parameters, then message may be sent to the user and/or law enforcement agency has moved on to outside the location parameter of mandate to tell them to install 101 assets that just monitoring.In addition, the position that ISP 104 cangenerator 101 is to help to give for change assets.In addition, ISP 104 is the running parameter ofmodifier 101 during the S4 in working order, thereby location positioning is sent out more frequently to help to give for change the assets that are being monitored.
As an example, when user's startingdevice 101, ISP 104 also can inquire the user whether they want to use the geographical grid that divide the authorized location of request unit 101.The user is with the authorized location ofgenerator 101, and if the user selects to use the geographical grid that divide, they can import the location parameter of appointed area, in this zone, can give at inoperative alert message to allowdevice 101 to be moved under user's the situation.For example, if vehicle 120 moves on to outside this position or the zone, ISP's 104 contact user and/or law enforcement agency, and notify their the undelegated motion of vehicle 120 to take place.ISP 104 may send text message to user's cell phone 105, send Email to user's computer 106 etc.As previously discussed, when the undelegated motion of assets was detected, in order to help to give for change this assets, ISP 104 can send the order of the running parameter of changingdevice 101 so that it sends more frequent position message.
The user also can provide time parameter, and its specifieddevice 101 can be in the time period in certain location or the zone in appointment.For example, the user can provide their every days round time and route.Coming and going when on and off duty, from install 101 times that send and positional information tell ISP's 104 vehicles 120 be as its authorized region by time and location parameter appointment in.Yet, if vehicle 120 was moved in certain time except user-specified parameters (for example workaday afternoons 12 point), then ISP 104 moves contact user and/or law enforcement agency to notify them to install 101 unauthorizeds that detected vehicle 120.
In one embodiment, whendevice 101 can the use location determines that system successfully determines its position, that position was recorded in the storer 210.The user can follow the tracks of the place that vehicle 120 has been ordered about byoperative installations 101 in the given time period then.This can be used to present the bill to the client with the mileage according to them in the given time period by for example car rental mechanism or insurance company.
Send location or no-fix message to ISP 104 after, embodiments of the invention enter query State S4, during this state,device 101 order and the information that can receive from ISP 104.For example, if the user determines to change the running parameter ofdevice 101, such as the time interval that is used to attempt to determine from position determination system 102 or 103 its position, then new argument can be sent todevice 101 this moment.As another example, ISP 104 can send order and be used fordevice 101, is stored in the content of the location records in the storer 210 with transmission.In addition, if the unauthorized movement of vehicle 120 is detected, then ISP 104 can send order, the running parameter of itsmodifier 101 and make it for example send more frequent or more lasting positional information so that give vehicle 120 for change.
According to embodiments of the invention,device 101 can also be configured to provide periodic status report correctly to work to confirm it to Position Tracking ISP 104.For example, section past tense at the fixed time, the controller in thedevice 101 makes device change active operation state S2 into and status report is given ISP 104.The information that comprises in status report may comprise position, current running parameter and the battery status that installs 101 of current time, device 101.After status report was given ISP 104,device 101 entered as above-mentioned described query State S4 to receive order and parameter information.
Fig. 4 is the process flow diagram of method that is used for reducing the power consumption of portable position reporting device according to embodiments of the invention.In thestep 410 of Fig. 4, use the starting component that is placed in the position reporting device to detect the motion of portable position reporting device.According to embodiments of the invention, starting component (forexample starting component 209 of Fig. 2) is set in the shell (forexample shell 211 of Fig. 2) of portable position reporting device 101.Startingcomponent 209 is used for the variation of the motion state of pick-up unit 201.For example, startingcomponent 209 can pick-upunit 101 variations that when change a basic exercise state into and/or install 101 movement rates from a motion state.Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the variation of the motion state ofstarting component 209 pick-up units 101 is such as the beginning of motion or stop and acceleration.
In thestep 420 of Fig. 4, motion is instructed to the controller that is placed in the portable position reporting device.In one embodiment, startingcomponent 209 detects the vibration relevant with the motion ofdevice 101 and will move to indicate when motion change is detected and give thecontroller 201 that is placed in thedevice 101.
In thestep 430 of Fig. 4, in response to the indication ofstep 420, portable position reporting device is energized.In an embodiment of the present invention, when startingcomponent 209 detected motion, it produced an interruption and gives controller 201.In response to the interruption fromassembly 209,controller 201 makesdevice 101 change active operation state (for example duty S2 of Fig. 3) into.
To detect the starting component anddevice 101 couplings of motion, this is a kind of method that reduces the novelty of power consumption, because its allowsdevice 101 surveillance assets continuously when drawing minimum power from power supply 202.In an embodiment of the present invention, whendevice 101 is during in its idle state, have only the real-time clock ofcontroller 201 and startingcomponent 209 just drawingpower.Device 101 does not attempt to determine its geographic position, is moved unless startingcomponent 209 detects it.Therefore, the location positioning number that draws the power of much bigger amount is minimized.
As previously discussed, embodiments of the invention are a kind of portable motion energized position annunciators.In this embodiment, assembly, wireless communication components and starting component coupling are determined in controller and power supply, position.In this embodiment, the signal of the motion of starting component detection position annunciator and generation indication motion is given controller.Controller is the energized position annunciator in response to this signal.Other embodiment of the present invention also is described in the above.
Therefore, embodiments of the invention, a kind of portable motion energized position annunciator is described.Though described the present invention in a particular embodiment, should be appreciated that the present invention should not be understood as that by these embodiment to limit, limit and should be understood to according to following claim.